Complete Water Damage Repair

According to insure.com, water damage is one of the most common reasons people make claims on their home insurance. Water damage is also one of the most frequently seen conditions by the specialists at ASAP ROOFING. Burst pipes, leaky appliances and flooded basements often lead people to discover the details of their home insurance policies.

According to the American Insurance Association, water damage claims have been growing faster than other components of homeowners insurance, and represent the second most frequently filed insurance claim totaling more than $5 billion of reported* claims each year from 1999 to 2003.

From 2007 to 2009, water caused $9.1 billion in annual homeowner policy property losses, and just plumbing failures and freezing pipes alone accounted for 23 percent of all homeowner losses — the third most common cause of loss.

While in the 1970s water damage claims typically came to “no more than $600”, James Guyan at Augusta Mutual, says that today, “We have found

that these losses range from $2,000 to $30,000 with a mean of most likely around $5,000.”

Further, the ACE estimates the average cost of repairs for this damage could exceed $20,000, and up to 93 percent of the cost of water damage could have been prevented or minimized, according to an ACE Private Risk Services study of damage sustained by affluent homeowners.

And while leaks can be slow and take years to detect, the high humidity creates the perfect environment for mold growth, but here is where water damage gets really scary. Some insurers now refuse to cover mold claims under existing policies, and lack of early detection of water leaks can reduce your ability to collect from your insurance company. Insurance claims for water damage are frequently denied if the cause of the damage has existed for more than 24 hours.

As far as health concerns, here is what the Environmental protection Agency has to say, “A major concern associated with exposure to biological pollutants is allergic reactions, which range from rhinitis, nasal congestion, conjunctival inflammation, and urticaria to asthma. Notable triggers for these diseases are allergens derived from house dust mites; other arthropods, including cockroaches; pets (cats, dogs, birds, rodents); molds; and protein-containing furnishings, including feathers, kapok, etc. In occupational settings, more unusual allergens (e.g., bacterial enzymes, algae) have caused asthma epidemics. Probably most proteins of non-human origin can cause asthma in a subset of any appropriately exposed population.”

For information on damp buildings and health effects, see the 2004 Institute of Medicine Report, Damp Indoor Spaces and Health, published by The National Academies Press in Washington, DC. You can read a description of the report and purchase a copy at http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=11011

But here is the good news. ASAP ROOFING handles water damage, and has experience restoring homes to their pre-damage condition. Best of all, the experts at ASAP ROOFING know how to work with your insurance company to ensure that your loss claims are not denied, and your rights as a homeowners are protected. For more information about ASAP ROOFING, just visit, www.asaproofing.com

Exterior Siding Repair Services

Being in the roofing and home restoration business for several years, and holding themselves to an exceptionally high standard, the specialists at ASAP ROOFING see a lot of expensive mistakes when it comes to not just roofing but home restoration in general. The problem is multifaceted, of course, however, there are a few key pieces of information that, if homeowners knew, would dramatically decrease the problems.

Let’s take a look:

Not repairing the underlying structures. If home siding has become damaged by wind or hail, and not repaired, moisture from outside the home can begin to collect in the home’s walls, joints and structure. Over time, moisture can lead to mildew, mold and wood rot. If during a siding repair, these underlying problems are not addressed they will become worse, often leading to expensive repairs later, not to mention significant damage to the overall value of a home. Perhaps the most important reason to correct moisture damage in a home, however, is the prominent health risk that it poses. The Center For Disease Control estimates that 15% of asthma cases are created or worsened by mold, and another serious disease, Hypersensitivity pneumonitis can develop in as little as three days.

Using the wrong type of siding material. Certainly there are many options when it comes to siding your home, and while all of these options will provide coverage for your home, they do not all allow the same amount of airflow. Moisture from inside the home (related to bathing, laundry, and breathing) typically flows from inside the home, through the walls, to the outside air. However, in the case of siding that does not breathe correctly moisture can become trapped in the home’s walls. Non-organic surfaces such as poured concrete or stucco do not expand and contract at the same rate as do organic products such as wood siding, plywood, chipboard or cellulose fibers. The thickness of poured concrete and stucco make the seepage of moisture from behind the paint unlikely.

Not researching longevity and cost of siding material. Some home siding options are more expensive than others, yet also last longer. On the other hand, there are some types of home siding that simply do not last as long. For example, while aluminum is quite popular due to its resistance to rust, in states where hail storms are likely — such as Colorado, Indiana, and Texas — it will not hold up as long as another type of siding material. Here is a list of the typical warranties for each material provided by Better Homes and Gardens: http://www.bhg.com/

Vinyl – 50 year warranty or up to the lifetime of the original owner.

Brick/stone veneer – 50 year warranty.

Fiber cement – up to a 50 year warranty.

Metal siding – 25+ year warranty.

Painted stucco – no warranty with the need for repainting every few years.

Synthetic stucco (EIFS)- no warranty, but needs little if any maintenance.

Engineered wood and hardieboard – 15-25 year warranty.

ASAP Roofing always advises homeowners to have their home siding inspected, and offers many options to protect and preserve the life of your home.

Gutter Repair

Often the professionals at ASAP ROOFING find that along with roof damage, damage to a home’s gutters can cause a multitude of problems. You don’t have to experience extreme weather conditions to have clogged or damaged gutters. Much of the reason for this is that one inch of rain on an average sized house roof creates about 500 gallons of rainwater runoff.

And if gutters are blocked, broken or not functioning properly, rainwater can pool on the ground and seep into a home’s foundation. Pooling water is not only a health risk, as it can act as a breeding ground for insects, but also a major concern for a home’s foundation. The Associated General Contractors of America advises that the number one cause of foundational damage to a home is water leaks. Further, the association estimates a minor foundation repair to cost $1000 to $3000, while in the case of more extensive damage, raising a home’s foundation will run anywhere from $20,000 to $30,000.

Even beyond preventing damage to your home’s foundation, gutters protect your home from a multitude of other water-related damage:

Preventing Roof Damage

Water not caught in a gutter can seep under shingles, damage fascia, and collect moisture behind exterior walls. Roof damage is particularly insidious in that it is not until significant damage is done that it can be detected from inside the building. At this point the structural and cosmetic repairs that are usually both expensive and time consuming.

Preventing Moisture Collection Inside The Home

Moisture inside the home, resulting from faulty gutters, is the primary cause of structural rot in a home. When gutters do not work correctly, water from the roof can work its way into the roof of a home or enter the walls from the ground.

Deterring Mold Growth

Once moisture and the consequent mold in the home develop, removal and extermination of the mold can be incredibly difficult. If the growth is pervasive enough, often encompassing both the roof and walls, a full evacuation of the home may even be necessary.

Discouraging Pests

Mosquitoes and most pests require a moist environment to breed and proliferate. And once moisture collects in a home, pests will often infest the structure of a home, making them much more difficult to remove. Even worse, insects can cause significant allergy and be carriers of a host of diseases.

ASAP ROOFING advises that you should have your home’s gutters checked every year, and when restoring your roof, consider replacing your gutters to protect and preserve the life of your home as well as give it a complete and polished look.

The professionals at ASAP ROOFING are always happy to check your gutters and advise you of any necessary repairs. To schedule an appointment just visit www.asaproofing.com.

Insulation Services

While ASAP Roofing is Denver’s number one roofing specialist, we also recognize that when it comes to protecting and preserving the life of your home, roofing is not the only component.

As older homes have less insulation than homes built today, more than likely your energy bills can be reduced by strategically adding home insulation. Even in the case of a new home, additional insulation will pay for itself within a few years.

But before any insulation can be added to any home, it is first necessary to determine the amount, quality and location of your current insulation. When as ASAP ROOFING specialist inspects your home for insulation, he/she will not only give you an energy assessment of your home (based on Government Energy Saving Guidelines), but also identify any areas of your home that are in need of air sealing.

Part of this insulation assessment is determining the R value of your current insulation. An R value measures the thermal resistance of any insulating material and the greater the value, the greater the insulating effectiveness. The type of insulation, the thickness and the density of the insulation all combine to comprise the R value.

An R value also is dependent on the location and way in which the insulation is installed. Insulation will not be as effective when compressed, and the R value can change once it is installed due to thermal bridging — heat flowing through joists and wall studs.

The amount of insulation or R-value you’ll need depends on your climate, type of heating and cooling system, and the part of the house you plan to insulate. ASAP ROOFING also recommends that your house be checked for moisture, as this will effect energy efficiency, as well as the overall air quality of the home.

ASAP ROOFING uses the following types of insulation (as described on energy.gov energy saver website):

BLANKET: BATT AND ROLL INSULATION

Blanket insulation — the most common and widely available type of insulation — comes in the form of batts or rolls. It consists of flexible fibers, most commonly fiberglass. You also can find batts and rolls made from mineral (rock and slag) wool, plastic fibers, and natural fibers, such as cotton and sheep’s wool. Learn more about these insulation materials.

Batts and rolls are available in widths suited to standard spacing of wall studs, attic trusses or rafters, and floor joists. Continuous rolls can be hand-cut and trimmed to fit. They are available with or without facings. Manufacturers often attach a facing (such as kraft paper, foil-kraft paper, or vinyl) to act as a vapor barrier and/or air barrier. Batts with a special flame-resistant facing are available in various widths for basement walls and other places where the insulation will be left exposed. A facing also helps facilitate fastening during installation. However, unfaced batts are a better choice when adding insulation over existing insulation.

Standard fiberglass blankets and batts have a thermal resistance or R-value between R-2.9 and R-3.8 per inch of thickness. High-performance (medium-density and high-density) fiberglass blankets and batts have R-values between R-3.7 and R-4.3 per inch of thickness. See the table below for an overview of these characteristics.

CONCRETE BLOCK INSULATION

Concrete blocks are used to build home foundations and walls, and there are several ways to insulate them. If the cores aren’t filled with steel and concrete for structural reasons, they can be filled with insulation, which raises the average wall R-value. Field studies and computer simulations have shown, however, that core filling of any type offers little fuel savings, because heat is readily conducted through the solid parts of the walls such as block webs and mortar joints.

It is more effective to install insulation over the surface of the blocks either on the exterior or interior of the foundation walls. Placing insulation on the exterior has the added advantage of containing the thermal mass of the blocks within the conditioned space, which can moderate indoor temperatures.

Some manufacturers incorporate polystyrene beads into concrete blocks, and surface-bonded assemblies of these units have wall R-values of R-1 per inch. Other manufacturers make concrete blocks that accommodate rigid foam inserts that increase the unit thermal resistance to about R-2 per inch.

In the United States, two varieties of solid, precast autoclaved concrete masonry units are now available: autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) and autoclaved cellular concrete (ACC). This material contains about 80% air by volume and has been commonly used in Europe since the late 1940s. Autoclaved concrete has ten times the insulating value of conventional concrete. The R-1.1 per inch blocks are large, light, and easily sawed, nailed, and shaped with ordinary tools. The material absorbs water readily, so it requires protection from moisture. Precast ACC uses fly ash instead of high-silica sand, which distinguishes it from AAC. Fly ash is a waste ash produced from burning coal in electric power plants.

Hollow-core units made with a mix of concrete and wood chips are also available. They are installed by stacking the units without using mortar (dry-stacking) and filling the cores with concrete and structural steel. One potential problem with this type of unit is that the wood is subject to the effects of moisture and insects.

Concrete block walls are typically insulated or built with insulating concrete blocks during new home construction or major renovations. Block walls in existing homes can be insulated from the inside. Go to insulation materials for more information about the products commonly used to insulate concrete block.

FOAM BOARD OR RIGID FOAM

Foam boards — rigid panels of insulation — can be used to insulate almost any part of your home, from the roof down to the foundation. They provide good thermal resistance, and reduce heat conduction through structural elements, like wood and steel studs. The most common types of materials used in making foam board include polystyrene, polyisocyanurate (polyiso), and polyurethane.

INSULATING CONCRETE FORMS

Insulating concrete forms (ICFs) are basically forms for poured concrete walls, which remain as part of the wall assembly. This system creates walls with a high thermal resistance, typically about R-20. Even though ICF homes are constructed using concrete, they look like traditional stick-built homes.

ICF systems consist of interconnected foam boards or interlocking, hollow-core foam insulation blocks. Foam boards are fastened together using plastic ties. Along with the foam boards, steel rods (rebar) can be added for reinforcement before the concrete is poured. When using foam blocks, steel rods are often used inside the hollow cores to strengthen the walls.

The foam webbing around the concrete-filled cores of blocks can provide easy access for insects and groundwater. To help prevent these problems, some manufacturers make insecticide-treated foam blocks and promote methods for waterproofing them. Installing an ICF system requires an experienced contractor, available through theInsulating Concrete Form Association.

LOOSE-FILL AND BLOWN-IN INSULATION

Loose-fill insulation consists of small particles of fiber, foam, or other materials. These small particles form an insulation material that can conform to any space without disturbing structures or finishes. This ability to conform makes loose-fill insulation well suited for retrofits and locations where it would be difficult to install other types of insulation.

The most common types of materials used for loose-fill insulation include cellulose, fiberglass, and mineral (rock or slag) wool. All of these materials are produced using recycled waste materials. Cellulose is primarily made from recycled newsprint. Most fiberglass contains 20% to 30% recycled glass. Mineral wool is usually produced from 75% post-industrial recycled content. The table below compares these three materials.

For more information about ASAP ROOFING’s insulation services, just contact us. We’d be glad to help show you how to improve the energy efficiency of your home.

Damaged Drywall Repair

Keeping in line with their desire to run the most sustainable and ecologically friendly company possible, ASAP ROOFING recognizes that drywall is the number three producer of greenhouse gasses among building materials, and produces 200 million tons of carbon dioxide gas, as well as a variety of gypsum mines. Additionally massive amounts of energy are required to fire the 500 degree kilns in which it is produced.

However, the world of drywall is changing and ASAP Roofing is very excited about the possibility of a few types of very sustainable drywall. EcoRock is an innovative material that requires no gypsum, no ovens to produce, is made from 85 percent industrial by-products and is fully recyclable.

Just recently, Kevin Surace, the CEO of Serious Materials, suggested that green means more than simply green roofs or solar panels, also introduced his company’s new clean, recyclable, and energy-efficient drywall, in a fascinating TED talk. You can watch the video here:

Also available now is USG Design Studio’s new LEED report tool, which provides sustainability ratings for things such as paint, ceiling panels, and yes, drywall. LEED is a rating system that encourages the design and construction of environmentally friendly buildings. Credits are awarded based on five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality. For more information, visit the U.S. Green Building Council website: www.usgbc.org.

With these exciting new green options for drywall, ASAP ROOFING is proud to offer the latest solutions in sustainable drywall repair, as well as traditional drywall. For more information, just visitwww.asaproofing.com, or call us to schedule an inspection.

Painting and Finishing Services

One of the most cost effective ways to to improve your home’s value and marketability, painting your house usually returns 50-100% of the costs involved. And while a typical home will need to be repainted roughly every 8-10 years, in harsher climates — like the hailstorms we experience in Denver, will require more frequent painting (every 3-4 years) to protect the home’s exterior.

According to ClaimStar, a national conglomerate of licensed insurance adjusters, the most common signs of storm damage to exterior paint are chips, cracks and discoloration. Chipping is caused by wind driven hailstones or flying debris that causes paint to chip, crack, discolor, or peel away, sometimes in large sections. After a severe storm or hailstorm, you may notice small black marks on your paint.

These signs will clearly indicate that your house has been damaged by hail, but before you decide to repaint, you might want to also consider that there are also a variety of health concerns when considering painting your home’s exterior. Here is an excerpt from the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s website on health precautions of painting a house:

“There are many factors to consider before beginning a painting project. Special care should be taken when sanding a surface to prepare for painting due to the dust released into the air. The dust may contain lead particles, if the surface contains lead-based paint. Exposure to excessive levels of lead could affect a child’s mental growth, and interfere with nervous system development, which could cause learning disabilities and impaired hearing. In adults, lead can increase blood pressure. Unless a lead-based paint inspection shows it doesn’t, you should treat paint in homes built before 1978 as if it contained lead. See further information on lead if this applies to your home.

Most paints give off volatile organic compounds (VOCs) — chemicals that evaporate in the air — that could lead to IAQ problems. The ability of these chemicals to cause health effects varies greatly. As with any chemical, the likelihood of a reaction and the extent and type of health effect will depend on many factors. These factors include the amount of chemical in the indoor air, the length of time a person is exposed to the chemical, and a person’s age, pre-existing medical conditions, and individual susceptibility. Eye and throat or lung irritation, headaches, dizziness, and vision problems are among the immediate symptoms that some people have experienced soon after exposure to some chemicals. In professional painters who are exposed to high levels of paint vapors for long periods of time, some chemicals in paints have damaged the nervous system, liver, and kidneys. Some chemicals cause cancer or reproductive and developmental effects in laboratory animals. Because of these concerns, susceptible people, such as young children and individuals with breathing problems, should avoid paint vapors. To avoid any health risks for themselves and their unborn babies, pregnant women should avoid undertaking painting projects and should limit their time in freshly painted rooms, especially when oil-based paints are being used.”

So while repainting your home will not only extend it’s life and improve it’s marketability, it is also important to protect your health, and minimize the risk of exposure to lead or VOCs for yourself and your family. For these reasons, the specialists at ASAP ROOFING are trained in assessing your home for hail damage to the exterior paint AND checking your paint for lead and VOCs. From that point, should you decide to file a claim with your homeowners insurance policy, ASAP ROOFING can handle the process from start to finish, ensuring that your insurance company pays you the maximum settlement and returns your home to normal — or even better. To schedule a paint assessment, just visit www.asaproofing.com.